Shocking Catastrophe.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3385, 28 October 1879, Page 2

Shocking Catastrophe.

Suioido of P. V. gent. Between 10 and 11 o'clock this morning the town was thrown into a state of most painful excitement by th« circulation of a rumor that Mr Douglas Yaux Kent, better known as "Charlie" Kent hid committed suicide. On enquiries being made at the police station it was ascertained that the sad newi was too true; two men named Matthew Cummings and 11 ill baring reported finding the body in Wbitaker's Reduction Works. Constable Baldwin, Detective Farrell, a reporter of this journal, and others were speedily on the spot. Ihe Seduction Works, which hare been idle for some three years' back, are situated a,t the rear of the Big Pump and face the Tararu Road. Kent has occupied a room on the premiies for some month*' past, ever since he separated from his wife. On entering the building from a door facing the tailings yard the first thing that attracted, attention was the deceased's coat, and in the adjoining room, which was used as a laboratory, lying in a pool of blood was the deceased stripped, with the exception of his trousers and socks, and a ghastly wound over the region of the heart. Beside the body lay a Naval carbine, in which was an exploded cartridge. His arms were placed across the body, the left arm just covering the wound. On the body being turned over it was found that the bullet hadn't gone through, and the general impression was that it had lodged somewhere in the back. The face was calm, and death must have been instantaneous. From enquiries made it would appear that for some weeks past deceased has been in very low spirits, chiefly from > financial troubles. He had taken a tailings tribute on the beach, and at first was said to be doing very well, in fact he informed a friend about three weeks ago that he expected to make a good riae out of it. He put on a number of men and it would appear that the tribute did not yield up to expectations, and he owed his workmen a considerable amount. Several of them were looking for him yesterday, and two who were leaving the district this morning saw him yesterday afternoon, and he spoke of hi a financial difficulties, but said he would pay them if they called round in the morning. Subsequently he was seen by Mr James Goodwin, who was at his residence at 5 30 in the afternoon, and that gentleman says poor Kent was down-hearted, and when he left him be intended to go round and see him before retiring for the night. That is so far as we can learn the last time the poor fellow was seen alive. A Mrs Kates, who resides in the vicinity, asserts that at about 10 o'clock last night she heard a report as that of a gun. Hill and Cummings, who went round this morning to get paid, were horrified at finding the body of their late employer. The deceased is aged about 33 years, and leaves a wife and several small children quite unprovided for. He has relations in | Brisbane, Queensland, who are said to be very well-to-do. [An inquest was being held as we went to press.J